§ 45. Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Prime Minister whether any and, if so, what steps are being taken to deal with the subject of legislation by reference so as to make Bills more intelligible; and whether, if it is necessary to continue the present system, it can be arranged for the section, clause, or provision forming the reference to be set forth at the foot of the page containing such reference?
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. Clynes)Every care is taken by those responsible for the drafting of Government Bills to avoid, as far as possible, legislation by reference. I will consider whether the course which has occasionally been adopted, either of issuing a White Paper setting out enactments referred to in a Bill, or of attaching to it a Memorandum giving the substance of such enactments, should not be more generally followed.